NEW DELHI: "Electricity, roads, water, education are important, but for minorities, especially Muslims, the most important issue is that of safety and security (jaan aur maal ki hifazat)," so begins a 35-minute documentary by a non-government organisation focused on Muslim education.

The documentary, made by Strive for Eminence and Empowerment (SEE), is being screened in about 120 Lok Sabha constituencies where Muslims account for at least 20% of the electorate.

Worried about losing the traditional Muslim vote bank, the Congress has turned to local luminaries and religious leaders or third parties in the Congress parlance such as SEE chairman Maulana Fazlur Rahim Mujadaddi and Mufti Mukarram Ahmad, the Shahi Imam of the Fatehpuri Masjid, to convince Muslims to vote for the Congress.

Officially, the third-party campaign is an independent effort by community leaders, but Congress insiders say it's being "closely monitored by Muslim leaders at the highest levels of the party".

Sources said senior party leaders are actively involved in preparing material like the SEE documentary film.

Mujadaddi is something of a man of inf luence in the community. "Son and Successor of the great Sufi scholar and educationist Hazrat Maulana Shah Mohammad Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi", he is executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and member of the Planning Commission's consultative committee for the empowerment of Muslims. He is also rector of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya, a residential Islamic university in Jaipur.

In 2004, the Congress had used "independent" arms-length approach to reach out to minorities with great success. However, the Congress realises that ground realities have changed now. Muslims are moving away to regional parties and even the Aam Aadmi Party.

To woo back the community, Congress has turned to people like the Shahi Imam of the Fatehpuri Masjid who, in the SEE documentary, exhorts Muslims to "set your anger aside and think once again which party will be beneficial for the community". Mufti Mukarram Ahmed goes on to ask Muslims "to give the Congress and its candidates one more chance".